Chapter 11 "Captain Black" Summary

Captain Black, the Squadron Intelligence Officer, takes sadistic delight in announcing to everyone that the next mission will be Bologna, news of which sows fear and alarm throughout the squad. Savoring the moment, Captain Black thinks back to a time when, as he sees it, Major Major stole the Squad Leader promotion, which was his by right. To avenge this perceived wrong, Captain Black declares Major Major a communist and, further, demands that everyone entering his Intelligence tent sign a "loyalty oath;" everyone, that is, save for Major Major, who, as a "communist," is forbidden to sign. Afraid of being labeled as traitors, the other tents and their commanders follow suit, until everyone and everything requires either the signing of an oath or some display of patriotism, bogging the camp down in needless bureaucracy. The practice is...